How to Use Horse Racing Handicapping Figures

In horse racing, handicapping refers to use of statistics and current track conditions to determine the probability of the outcome of each race. By understanding handicapping figures and knowing how to use them to predict the performance of a given horse, you can potentially increase your betting success at the track.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse racing results
  • Horse racing blogs
  • Horse racing betting software
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use racing results and past published records of horse races in order to analyze handicapping figures. By studying the history of past races, you will be able to predict the speed of each horse under a variety of track conditions. You will also be able to track how certain horses perform with certain jockeys and how well the horse competes in regards to a specific racing venue.

    • 2

      Track the overall career of a horse when you use handicapping figures in horse racing. By recording the results of each race in a horse's career, you will be able to chart the horse's progress and determine if the health and speed of the horse is increasing as it matures, or decreasing as it ages. You will also be able to determine if that horse performs better under wet or dry track conditions or during hot or cold weather.

    • 3

      Learn how to draw up handicapping charts so that you can rank and predict the performance of each horse in a particular race. This can be done the old-fashioned way, with a large piece of paper and a ruler, or by gathering the data on your computer and producing a spreadsheet.

    • 4

      Read horse racing blogs on the Internet to learn how others are using handicapping figures to increase their winnings. Many horse racing blogs feature discussion forums so that you can learn different handicapping methods, and to track the success of other bettors against your own.

    • 5

      Try computer software applications, such as ADPA Systems, to record and analyze handicapping figures in horse racing (see Resources below). Many types of horse racing bet tracking software are available to help you compile statistics on individual horses, tracks and jockeys. These software applications allow you to compare many types of handicapping methods against your own, so you can determine which strategy to use while betting.